UVic Researchers Help Revitalize Port Alberni
How do you pump life back into a fading economy? That’s just one of the issues researchers from the University of Victoria, as well as officials and residents from the Port Alberni community, will discuss during a six-hour forum on Saturday, November 24 at the Echo Centre in Port Alberni.
The conference, entitled “Re-Discovering the Alberni Valley: Building a New Economy in a Changing Community,” is the brainchild of a broadly based group of the Port Alberni community representing business, the arts, churches, advanced education and local government. Recognizing that relying on the forest and fishing industries for secure employment was no longer realistic, the group approached UVic to develop and present this conference.
“The forum will look at the challenges and opportunities presented in our changing economy and changing demographic,” explains the City of Port Alberni’s Economic Development Manager Patrick Deakin. “Port Alberni’s economy is based heavily on the forest industry which is changing rapidly. Our demographics are changing too. Young people are leaving the community because they don’t see employment possibilities here and older people are moving to the community because it is an affordable place to retire.”
The event—which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.—will cover such topics as change, demographics, small business and entrepreneurship, and economic diversification opportunities. The speakers include UVic faculty members Drs. Rosemary Ommer, Anne Marshall, Brock Smith, Havind Sehmi and Budd Hall; Hupacasath Chief Councillor Judith Sayers, a Tseshaht Band Council representative; Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae; Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St Jacques; director of BC Stats’ population statistics section Dave O’Neil; President and CEO of the Coulson Group of Companies Wayne Coulson; and forum organizer Ken Hutcheson. The conference is free and open to the public however space is limited. To register call 250-723-2181 or email echo_frontcounter@portalberni.ca. For more information visit www.alberni.ca.
Backgrounder is attached
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